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Microbial Scan: 5 VS 7. Which one should you choose?
Oct
Microbial scans play a crucial role in various fields, ranging from healthcare to environmental science to cannabis testing. Within cannabis testing, it is a requirement to conduct microbiological tests in cannabis as it is a regulated test requested from the Cannabis Act from Health Canada. Micro-organisms present a concern to the public due to its potential to pose a health risk while also being a therapeutic effect.
Among the variety of microbial analysis tools, two prominent tests stand out in cannabis testing, Microbial Scan 5 and Microbial Scan 7. These tests can use various different methods in terms of testing within certain protocols followed by the country which includes the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) or European Pharmacopoeia (EP). In this blog post, we will dive into the differences between both of these two scans where we shed light on their unique applications.
Understanding Microbial Scan 5
Microbial Scan 5 is a cutting-edge microbial analysis designed to identify and quantify microorganisms presented in a given test sample. With Microbial Scan 5 testing, there are 5 different analytical tests including Total Aerobic Microbial Count (TAMC), Total Yeast and Mold Count (TYMC), Bile-Tolerant Gram-Negative (BTGN), E. Coli and Salmonella.
Total Yeast and Mold
The prevalent form of microbial growth on Cannabis is mold, which, along with yeasts, can generate harmful metabolites known as mycotoxins. Individuals with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to inhaling spores and being exposed to these toxins.
Total Aerobic Microbial Count
TAMC is a general test which indicates the overall population of microorganisms in a given sample. Individuals can get a sense of cleanliness of a product after receiving results for this test.
Bile Tolerant Gram Negative
This bacteria are capable of surviving in the presence of bile salts and have a Gram-negative cell wall structure. The presence of these bacteria in cannabis samples can be an important consideration for quality control and safety assessment.
E.Coli
E. coli itself is a diverse group of bacteria, and while many strains are harmless, certain pathogenic strains can cause serious illness. Therefore, testing for E. coli in cannabis is crucial for ensuring the safety of the product, especially for consumers who may ingest or inhale cannabis.
Salmonella
Salmonella is a type of bacteria that is commonly associated with foodborne illnesses. In the context of cannabis testing, the presence of Salmonella is assessed as part of microbial testing protocols to ensure the safety of cannabis products.
Understanding Microbial Scan 7
In addition to the 5 tests in Microbial Scan 5, Microbial scan 7 tests also include Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus is a type of bacteria that is of concern in cannabis testing due to its potential pathogenicity. Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacterium known for causing various infections in humans, ranging from mild skin infections to more severe and potentially life-threatening conditions.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
A gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium that has been identified in humans and plants. This pathogen can infect the respiratory system of patients with weakened immune defenses.
concluding thoughts
Choosing between these microbial scans depends on the desired level of microbial analysis and the specific risks associated with the cannabis product in question. Ultimately, both Microbial Scan 5 and Microbial Scan 7 play pivotal roles in ensuring the integrity of cannabis products and safeguarding public health by identifying and quantifying potential microbial threats.
Conduct your Microbial Scan testing at PPB Analytical.
At PPB Analytical Incorporated, we offer cannabis testing services to all, including home growers, micro-cultivators, and licensed producers.
To test your cannabis samples at PPB Analytical Incorporated, please:
